Why do Jehovah's witnesses not allow blood transfusions?

Answer 1

Many places in the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) humans are told not to eat blood, God forbids eating meat without first draining the blood, and Acts 15:20,29 states that we are to "....abstain from blood....."

If your doctor tells you that you are to abstain from alcohol or dairy products, lest you should die, would you consider injecting alcohol or dairy products into your veins? Of course not. You would avoid those products all together in all forms. Therefore, JW's do not accept blood in ANY form - whether in meat or anti-venoms, or transfusions of their own or anyone else's blood. To "abstain from" literally means to "voluntarily hold oneself back from." The subject of Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions has been a subject of much misunderstanding on the part of non-witnesses.

JW's do not accept blood transfusions based on The Bible's command to "abstain from blood."(Acts 15:29) However, we DO accept transfusions of NON-blood substitutes.

Hospitals around the world are recognizing that non-blood medical treatment is safer than using human blood. More and more hospitals are becoming entirely "bloodless" because of the many HEALTH RISKS from using real blood, such as, tissue rejection and infection from hepatitis, aids, and hundreds of other blood borne diseases. "A growing number of hospitals are offering alternative 'bloodless' surgery," reported The Wall Street Journal. "Originally developed to accommodate Jehovah's Witnesses," states the journal, "the practice has gone mainstream, with many hospitals promoting their bloodless-surgery programs to the general public."

Even people who are not JW's are claiming to be such just to keep from receiving blood transfusions, claims The Winnipeg Sun of Canada. That newspaper says, "A growing number of hospital patients afraid of catching AIDS or developing other blood related problems are posing as Jehovah's Witnesses," states the article. "Church elders have discovered more than a dozen impostors while doing their hospital rounds." One woman said she pretended to be a Witness so that she would not have to fight with the doctors over the treatment. "The reason I refuse blood is not religious," she said. "When you take someone else's blood there's no guarantee that you'll be any healthier. It could make you sick or even dead." One impostor was discovered by a chaplain who saw the man sitting in bed smoking a cigar. The man sheepishly admitted that he wasn't a Witness. "I just don't want a blood transfusion," he said. "I'm a doctor."

Along with hospitals, now thousands of doctors worldwide are practicing non-blood medical treatment, not just for Witness patients, but as their preferred method for ALL patients.

The dangers from blood transfusions are so great that the reference work Dailey's Notes on Blood says: "Some physicians maintain that allogenic blood [blood from another human] is a DANGEROUS DRUG and that its use would be banned if it were evaluated by the same standards as other drugs."

Our position though, is governed by the Bible and our resolve to obey our creator who tells us to "abstain from blood." Our position is not "complicated". Simply put, we do not accept whole blood or any of it's four main parts, plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. But, there are hundreds of blood fractions that an individual's conscience may allow them to accept. An individual may view small fractions of blood components as not being blood, in the same way that a fraction of a cake such as sugar, is not the cake itself. I personally do not find that complicated, and I know of no other Witness who finds that complicated either.

The reference to Genesis 9:4 where it says not to 'eat the blood' leads some feel that this simply means not to take blood into the mouth. If you were told not to eat sugar (possibly due to diabetes) would you then assume that you would be okay if you were to inject it directly into your veins? That would not be reasonable. Further, the command to the Christian congregation was to "abstain from blood," as Acts 15:29 clearly states.

ANSWER From Another Jehovah's Witness:Quite simply, because Jehovah God and Jesus' 'faithful and discreet slave' class tells us not to, and therefore we are obeying Jesus' direct commands as explained in our journals.

Watchtower 1959 1st May p269

''To hold to the headship of Christ, it is therefore necessary to obey the organization that he is personally directing. Doing what the organization says is to do what he says. Resisting the organization is to resist him.''

If the Society had 'new light' based on Biblical research and intense prayers, and stated that we could have blood transfusions if we so chose, then we follow their direction. The chances of that are about as slim as IF it was ever possible to discover that it's OK to steal; to commit adultery; then we would publish the new information, and we'd all go out and steal, and commit adultery. I would suppose that would never happen; emphasis on the word 'never'.

This is amply demonstrated in our beliefs on organ transplants. At one time we used to refuse organ transplants as they were considered to be cannibalism. (WT 67 15th Nov). Then in 1980, 15th March WT, Jesus and Jehovah saw fit to direct us that it was now ok to have an organ transplant, if one so chose.

Also, some witnesses' consciences may allow them to accept blood fractions, as long as these have been separated completely from any of the four main blood components.

Genesis 9:4

But flesh with its life, its blood, you shall not eat*.

Leviticus 17:14

For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life: therefore I said to the children of Israel, "You shall not eat* the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off (die)."

Acts 15:19-20

"Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

(World English Bible - public domain)

* Note: Officially, transfusion is considered being 'fed' blood, which is why the commandment not to eat blood is thought to be relevant.

God's people worldwide show respect for blood. Jehovah (God's name) speaks about blood in Genesis 4:10 after Cain had killed Abel and thought that he would get away with it. In all reality Jehovah saw the whole thing. Jehovah says in that scripture, "Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground." When he said blood he was referring to Abel's life. This meant that Abel's life, or blood, was crying out for Jehovah to set things straight as it were.

Another instance was shown in Noah's day after the Flood. Did you know that before the Flood people only ate fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts? Well they did until the Flood came in about 2370 BC and shortly after the water had drained from the earth Jehovah had told Noah and his family, "Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you." This meant that they could not eat animals before 2370 BC. However, Jehovah was not done speaking. He went on to say "Only flesh with its soul [or, life] -it's blood- you must not eat. (Genesis 1:29, 9:3,4) In fact they were told that they could eat the meat of an animal but they had to pour the blood back into the ground, symbolically returning the animal's "life" to Jehovah.

Later in the Bible, Acts 15:28,29 and 21:25 tells us to keep abstaining from blood. In God's eyes, doing this is just as important as our avoiding idolatry and sexual immorality. And abstaining from blood means not taking it into our bodies AT ALL. Similar to if your doctor said you would die if you did not cut out alcohol from your life. Would you reply, 'well I can still have it injected and not drink it'?

I advise you to obtain a book (free of charge) which we publish that explains all of this information and more in greater detail. It's called "What Does the Bible Really Teach?"

You may obtain one in almost any language at your local congregation, or call and ask a Witness to bring one to you. All you have to do is ask and they can get you one.

IMPORTANT ADDENDUM

First, let's be clear. Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT refuse the transfusion process, just the use of blood.

There are numerous non-blood substitutes that can be transfused into a patient, such as Ringers lactate, saline solution, or other blood volume expanders. Doctors will tell you - the amount or quantity of liquid cursing through one's veins is actually more important in saving one's life than adding blood cells.

The reason that we refuse blood is because of God's command which is repeated in several places in the scriptures. The Bible often states not to "eat" blood. We understand that means not take blood into the body at all. Acts 15:28,29 simply says to abstain from blood. Again we understand that in the same way that if a doctor told you to abstain from alcohol, he would mean simply not take it into your body at all through ANY means, whether through the mouth or intravenously.

Because of our stand on this issue, we have experienced many benefits. For example, my own father had triple bypass surgery a few years ago using non-blood medical management. He recovered faster than normally expected by patients having this type of surgery, and was back home several days before the prognosis would normally be.

The medical profession has made great strides in non-blood medicine, largely due to the refusal of Jehovah's Witnesses to accept blood. A growing number of hospitals are going "bloodless" because they are finding the the treatment is better. Patients are recovering faster with less chance for infection.

The part of the 'faithful and discreet' slave that make up our Organization's Governing Body help us to understand the Bible's command not to have blood transfusions, and thus obey Jehovah, as explained in the following quote:

Watchtower 1959 1st May p269

''To hold to the headship of Christ, it is therefore necessary to obey the organization that he is personally directing. Doing what the organization says is to do what he says. Resisting the organization is to resist him.''

So, in conclusion, Jehovah's Witnesses accept all kinds of different medical treatment but adroitly refuse blood transfusions because, according to the Bible, blood is sacred and absolutely not to be put into a human's body in any way.

Opinion:The command is clear in Acts chapter 15 verse 28 and 29 to "abstain from blood" so, although we accept non-blood alternative treatments, we refuse to be transfused with blood... Compare Genesis 9:3, 4; Leviticus 17:10-14.

This does not mean we are making a foolish or uninformed decision. We want quality medical care and for doctors to do whatever they can do to save us and care for for us. We want them to provide us with the best alternative treatments to blood transfusions, and there are many quality alternatives, which as it turns out are both safer AND often far more beneficial in other ways than treatment with blood.

Since the Bible makes no clear statement about the use of minor blood fractions or the immediate re-infusion (in a closed circuit) of a patient's own blood during surgery, a medical process known as blood salvaging, the use of such treatments is a matter of personal choice.

The answer below this containing the misapplied quote from the Watchtower 1959 1st May p269 is erroneous. Although we are to follow the instructions of the faithful and discreet slave, because that is who Jesus left to preside over his "household" according to Matthew 24:45-47, we do not do so blindly, nor in opposition to plain Scripture. Acts 15:28, 29 says "Abstain ... from blood" and nothing the faithful and discreet slave class says changes that. The faithful slave will NOT teach against the Bible. If certain ones of them did begin saying things that are out of harmony with Scripture, then they are part of the ones Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:48-51. Notice, Jesus appointed one Slave, but the actions of that slave determine whether he is faithful or wicked.

Another AnswerMany JWs have needlessly died because the governing body considers blood transfusions to be "eating blood." Of course, their view on this has recently changed to allow some uses of blood fractions. But the governing body is careful to explain its new understandings on blood to its followers. Another OpinionThe exact stance taken by Watchtower has varied over the years. Transfusion (and also organ donation) were even branded as a form of cannibalism at one time in the past. They relaxed their position in 2000. Although whole blood, and the components thereof (red & white cells, plasma, platelets) are still considered forbidden, followers are advised to use their own discretion when accepting or rejecting treatments which make use of fractional parts of these components (such as hemoglobin, interferon, or albumin).

Indeed, many Jehovah's Witnesses choose not to follow Watchtower's interpretation of the above scriptures, and will in fact accept transfusions.

No, They are dead-set against it. this is extremely high risk as people have died from not having blood transfusions. They quote Bible passages out of context- as let"s face it Blood transfusions only became a medical practice- of a practical, everyday sort- in the twentieth century. the first Blood Bank was opened in l937 Specially modified buses rigged for donations of blood called Bloodmobiles came much later.

The Absolute point:

Most people in professed Christian faiths continually re-oath themselves over and over again on the issue of Jesus Sacrificial Blood, while they consider other sources of life saving measures or other sources of blood inconsequential in accepting these. A Jehovah's Witness holds the Blood of Christ so much in high esteem, they will not under any circumstances usurp that Oath. Meaning they will do the utmost to preserve lives including the one attached to keeping this Oath without marring it with other sources physical or otherwise of blood. You can call it "A lifelong commitment to keep ceremonially clean in the sight of God." Acts 20:26

It would be hard to do so accepting blood which are full of personal ills, not that they view that they are perfect, but rather as showing to God their will to continue on living as clean as possible. Some would argue since perfection is not an issue what would be the point? Giving in and giving up on the issue of cleanliness, is not an option for a Jehovah's Witness, he or she will continue to fight for it showing God the most high level of the will to live that that person has.

Side Note: The class of the opinion poles that spread and generate falsehoods and innuendos about the Jehovah's Witnesses are due to it's fickle attitudes tied to prejudice. Matthew 11:16-19 That said, it is strange to me that actual known dangerous cults some are and were using blood, now today the reverse holds true when they accuse Jehovah's Witnesses as a dangerous cult while these Jehovah's Witnesses fervently AVOID using blood in their lifestyle.

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the bible plainly states to abstain from blood.

also many doctors are started to use alternative to blood because of the harm that it causes. this article is not even from a JW source:

More than half of blood transfusions may do more harm than good, with some patients facing a six-fold greater risk of dying following surgery because of transfusions, doctors warn today.

Fears over the safety of blood transfusions have prompted some physicians to recommend they are used only as a last resort, with hospitals urged to be more selective over which patients receive blood. According to a report in New Scientist today, the National Institutes of Health, the US government's largest medical funder, has launched a review into the safety of the procedure. Bruce Spiess, a cardiac anaesthetist at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, America, told the magazine: "Probably 40%-60% of blood transfusions are not good for the patients."

John Wallwork, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Papworth hospital in Cambridge, said: "We are concerned about blood transfusions for a variety of reasons. We don't want to use blood unless we have to. In heart surgery around half receive blood transfusions, but often they are patients who are sicker or bleed significantly during the operation. It's always a case of balancing the risks."
Answer 1:

Firstly, the 'faithful and discreet' slave are the seven men in Brooklyn that make up Jehovah's Witnesses' Governing Body. This Governing Body of seven men tell Witnesses not to give blood, based on their understanding of Acts 15 and individual Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are obeying Jesus' direct commands as explained in the following quotes:

Watchtower 1959 1st May p269

''To hold to the headship of Christ, it is therefore necessary to obey the organization that he is personally directing. Doing what the organization says is to do what he says. Resisting the organization is to resist him.''

Watchtower 2009 15th Feb p27

''Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?''

Although Jehovah's Witnesses do not give or donate blood, some Witnesses' consciences will allow them to accept transfusions of blood that non-Witnesses have donated as long as it has been split into smaller parts that they call fractions.

Answer 2:

If you want up to date and ACCURATE information it is good to ask one who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses rather than asking somene who may be out of touch, not up to date and biased. Jehovah's Winesses have a free public website jw.org that will answer any and all questions you may have about them. Check out the site and in particular at the bottom under LEARN; Answers to Bible Questions

Answer 2

People of this belief system understand Acts 15:28-29 to inform them that they must "abstain from blood". Jehovah's Witnesses accept all kinds of medical treatment but refuse blood transfusions because according to the bible blood is sacred.

The command is clear in Acts chapter 15 verse 28 and 29 to "abstain from blood" so although we accept non blood alternative treatments we refuse to be transfused with blood...-Acts 15:19, 20, 28, 29; compare Genesis 9:3, 4; Leviticus 17:10-14.

Interestingly, notice the Jerusalem council did not say "don't drink or eat blood" but it said "ABSTAIN" from it. This word covers more than just taking blood into your body through your mouth (or ingesting it).

To illustrate: If a doctor told an alcoholic to ABSTAIN from alcohol, could the patient reason 'I can't drink it but I can transfuse it into my body through a tube"? Would this be just as harmful?

In a similar way, Jehovah's Witnesses obey the bible command to ABSTAIN from blood and do not seek to take it into our bodies either by swallowing it or any other method.

(check this link to see that the same word "ABSTAIN" is in all other translations of the bible http://bible.cc/acts/15-29.htm )

Jehovah's Witnesses accept reliable nonblood medical alternatives treatments.

Since the Bible makes no clear statement about the use of minor blood fractions or the immediate reinfusion of a patient's own blood during surgery, a medical process known as blood salvaging, the use of such treatments is a matter of personal choice.

Answer 3

Because of the biblical command in Acts chapter 15 verse 28 and 29 to "abstain from blood"

Although Jehovah's Witnesses accept non blood alternative treatments they refuse to be transfused with blood because they understand the word "abstain" to mean more than "don't drink or eat blood" (ie. prohibiting taking blood into your body through the mouth (or ingesting it) they understand the command to ABSTAIN from blood means not seek to take it into their bodies either by swallowing it or any other method. -Acts 15:19, 20, 28, 29; compare Genesis 9:3, 4; Leviticus 17:10-14.

Answer 4

Because in the bible, it states we shouldn't use or eat blood to sustain the body in any way. Some people abstain from eating blood but then accept a blood transfusion. This is wrong because imagine someone was an alcoholic, so his doctor said to not drink it. Would it be okay if he just simply shot it into his veins? No. Also, some people might say that Jehovah's Witnesses don't accept medical treatment. They say this because they don't accept transfusions. But, actually, they only want the best care for themselves and their families so, they don't want to take any chances. Someone might want to give blood but might have AIDS. The persinal will scan him/her but AIDS can't be found unless it's active so what happens when it's not? They can't find it. so they allow him/her to give blood. When someone has a blood tranfusions with that blood, they can get AIDS! Hopefully that answers your question.

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Answer 5

They don't request or think you should have a blood transfusions because blood is precious like it says in Acts 15:28,29- abstain from using blood. So we follow exactly what the bible tells us to do. Any ways you don't know who had that blood and it is not pure.

Answer 6

The question is rather strangely worded. We do believe in blood transfusions. We believe that there is such a thing; and that other people actually accept them. But Jehovah's people do not accept them for themselves. Mainly because Jehovah's people consider that according to God's Word, blood is 'sacred' and not to be misused. We consider transfusing blood from one person into another is NOT treating blood as the 'sacred' thing that it should be regarded as.

Answer 7

The Watchtower states that God's standard is that blood must not be stored, however, Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to use blood fractions derived from stored blood.

And whilst Jehovah's Witnesses use significant quantities of medical products derived from blood, donating blood is forbidden.

Answer 8

Jehovah's witnesses refuse blood transfusion because of the Bible's admonition against eating blood, and because God views blood as representing life, and out of respect for God as the giver of life.

Answer 9

Their refusal to accept blood transfusions stems from the Bible's view of blood being sacred and a person listening to God would not eat blood.

Acts 15:29 (NIV) - "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell."

There are many other scriptures pointing out this Biblical ban on eating blood. For Jehovah's Witnesses, they feel that injecting blood into your bloodstream is the same principle as eating it. They will however, accept whatever alternatives that can be offered. In fact, there has been a great deal of progress made in "Bloodless Surgery" experiments thanks to the witnesses being willing subjects. There have actually been substantial and verified benefits to patients who have surgeries without blood transfusions compared to those who do.

Answer 10

Their refusal to accept blood transfusions stems from the Bible's view of blood being sacred and a person listening to God would not eat blood.

Acts 15:29 (NIV) - "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell."

There are many other scriptures pointing out this Biblical ban on eating blood. For Jehovah's Witnesses, they feel that injecting blood into your bloodstream is the same principle as eating it. They will however, accept whatever alternatives can be offered. In fact, there has been a great deal of progress made in "Bloodless Surgery" experiments thanks to the witnesses being willing subjects. There have actually been substantial and verified benefits to patients who have surgeries without blood transfusions compared to those who do.